Time for Stormers to prove their mettle

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 25: Steven Kitshoff of the Stormers and Jan Serfontein of the Bulls during the Super Rugby match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands Stadium on April 25, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Peter Heeger/Gallo Images)

CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA - APRIL 25: Steven Kitshoff of the Stormers and Jan Serfontein of the Bulls during the Super Rugby match between DHL Stormers and Vodacom Bulls at DHL Newlands Stadium on April 25, 2015 in Cape Town, South Africa. (Photo by Peter Heeger/Gallo Images)

Published May 8, 2015

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Extracting anything worth reading out of either Eben Etzebeth or Steven Kitshoff is near impossible. Both heavies prefer to let their performances speak for them, and that’s exactly what coach Allister Coetzee is counting on as the Stormers attempt to rally for a Super Rugby showdown against the Brumbies at Newlands tomorrow (kick-off 5.05pm).

“We want workers on the field, not talkers,” Coetzee said.

In the aftermath of last week’s shock 25-17 reverse against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein, Stormers skipper Duane Vermeulen revealed that there had been dissension in the huddle.

“There were a lot of chiefs and not a lot of Indians,” Vermeulen said at the post-match press conference. “That made it difficult for me to lead the team. Everyone wanted to give their five cents, and that’s where we lost it.”

“That was taken care of this week,” Coetzee said. “The ‘Indians’ have been pulled into line, it’s been done and it was quite easy. It’s just to make sure everyone is aligned to the captain.”

Etzebeth and Kitshoff have run through brick walls for Vermeulen in the past and both tight forwards return from a week off just in time for what is shaping up to be a decisive set-piece battle against Australia’s top team.

Their physical impact is complemented by the injection of experience provided by the recall of Argentine Test jumper Manuel Carizza, who has slotted in for injured lock Ruan Botha.

Juan de Jongh’s name was a surprise inclusion on the team sheet after Coetzee started the week by suggesting that the Springbok centre was doubtful with a hip pointer that is “normally a 10-day injury”, and that fit-again Jaco Taute might fill the vacancy in his first appearance of the season.

Instead, De Jongh has been given until tomorrow to make a satisfactory recovery and he has consequently been bracketed with replacement midfielder Huw Jones, while Pat Howard is on standby to round off the bench if De Jongh is not cleared.

Taute will make his return in tomorrow’s curtain-raiser as Western Province host the SWD Eagles in a Vodacom Cup match.

“The team is still hurting from last week, and we’ve got an opportunity to redeem ourselves,” said Coetzee. “Playing at Newlands in front of a big crowd is something else.

“We’re a much better side than what we dished up last week and we want to make sure we put up consistent performances.”

The Brumbies have also struggled for consistency this season, having lost three of their past four matches.

Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham made two changes to the side that was beaten 13-10 in Canberra, recalling Wallaby scrumhalf Nic White – who has spent the past four weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury – and deploying the tallest Australian in Super Rugby, Rory “Big Dog” Arnold in the second row.

At first glance, the nickname appears to be a reference to his 2.08-metre, 125kg frame, but it may also have something to do with a red card Arnold received for a biting incident while on duty with Griquas during the 2013 season.

Arnold has made four appearances for the Brumbies this season and the 24-year-old returns to the No4 jersey this week to put 2.04-metre Etzebeth in the rare position of having to look up at his opponent.

Etzebeth won’t have anything to say about that match-up. He’s waiting for the blast of the whistle to start a conversation he knows how to dominate.

BRUMBIES: Jesse Mogg, Henry Speight, Tevita Kuridrani, Robbie Coleman, Joe Tomane, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White, Ita Vaea, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, Sam Carter, Rory Arnold, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore (capt), JP Smith. Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea,

Allan Alaalatoa, Ruan Smith, Jordan Smiler, Jarrad Butler, Michael Dowsett, James Dargaville, Nigel Ah Wong.

STORMERS: Cheslin Kolbe, Johnny Kotze, Juan de Jongh/Huw Jones, Damian de Allende, Dillyn Leyds, Demetri Catrakilis, Nic Groom, Duane Vermeulen (capt), Siya Kolisi, Schalk Burger, Manuel Carizza, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff. Replacements: Scarra Ntubeni, Ali Vermaak, Vincent Koch, Jean Kleyn, Nizaam Carr, Louis Schreuder, Kurt Coleman, Huw Jones/Pat Howard.

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